San Jose State not lacking for motivation for game against Fresno State

SAN JOSE -- San Jose State had better not have any issues finding motivation when it faces Fresno State on Friday.

The Spartans (5-6, 4-3 Mountain West) have a chance to effectively end the Bulldogs' chances of BCS glory, but more important can keep their own hopes of a second straight bowl berth alive.

So how can a team that's struggled defensively all year beat a team with one of the best offenses and quarterbacks in the country?

"We've got to play hard, got to be focused, got to come out with fire and energy," SJSU coach Ron Caragher said. "We don't have to be super heroes to win this game. "

Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr leads the nation in passing yards per game, and the Bulldogs (10-0, 7-0) are in the top five in scoring and total offense. They have as good a trio of wide receivers as there is, led by Davante Adams (Palo Alto High), the national leader in touchdown receptions.

The silver lining for SJSU is that it has fared better defending the pass than the run and has the luxury of facing its own standout quarterback, David Fales, in practice.

"It's kind of the best situation we could be in, to play a team like this. Something we're used to playing week in and week out," linebacker Keith Smith said.

The defense still practices mostly against the scout team, and on Monday, strong-armed No. 3 quarterback Joe Gray joined the scout team to better simulate Carr.

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"It was definitely a better look," cornerback Bené Benwikere said. "It gave us a much faster pace because Joe Gray has a little stronger and quicker release, a little bit closer to Carr's."

There's some history SJSU hopes to repeat Friday.

This is only the third time SJSU has hosted a nationally-ranked Fresno State team, but the Spartans won the previous two meetings. SJSU beat then No. 23 Fresno State 42-7 in 1990 to capture the Big West Conference title and also beat the No. 19 Bulldogs 45-41 in 1986 -- a game Sports Illustrated later named the college football game of the year.

This is the first time since 2006 the teams have met in the regular-season finale for both, and SJSU won that game 24-14 on its way to the New Mexico Bowl.

Athletic director Gene Bleymaier feels confident the Spartans would get a bowl berth with a 6-6 record.

"A win over Fresno State would go a long way," he said. "I'm optimistic."

Several factors would be in play. Five Mountain West teams (Fresno State, Utah State, Boise State, San Diego State and UNLV) are already bowl eligible. SJSU, Colorado State and Wyoming can get there with wins this weekend, although only CSU is favored.

There are six bowl spots for the Mountain West, and beating Fresno State would knock the Bulldogs from BCS contention, thus denying a seventh bid for the conference.

If eight become eligible, those joining SJSU on the bubble would be UNLV, Colorado State and Wyoming -- all teams the Spartans beat.

UNLV can sew up its berth if it beats San Diego State on Saturday to get to 7-5, but otherwise none of those fellow bubble teams would have a decided edge on SJSU, and several factors could help the Spartans.

The nationally-televised game against Navy -- despite the loss -- was entertaining and showcased the star power of Fales. Plus, a win on national TV against Fresno State would certainly draw some attention.

Bleymaier is the former Boise State athletic director and could have some influence in securing a Famous Idaho Potato Bowl bid, the bowl that has the last choice for selecting a Mountain West team.